FEDERICO

While the other restaurant is more ideal for circulating gossip, considering its high profile location, I can't deny I prefer this venue because it's less pretentious.

It reminds me of the restaurants in Italy, with a more rustic feel to it. Small lanterns overhang on every booth. While the tables spread throughout the room have candles, giving the dining room a soft dim glow. The ceilings are A-framed, with skylights letting in the moonlight and the walls are adorned with several paintings and portraits of nude women in different positions.

It's a very sensual atmosphere and my mind wanders back to what happened between Elenora and I outside of the hotel.

"This way Signore," The maître d' interrupts my thoughts and guides us through the restaurant as I take Elenora along with me, holding her hand. I've grown accustomed to the lingering stares, but as several women in the restaurant stop eating to stare as I walk by, Elenora purses her lips in annoyance.

Maybe she needs reassurance. I let go of her hand and place mine near the top of her ass, half expecting her to slap my hand away or for her to unleash a shitload of insults, but she doesn't.

Progress.

But as usual she finds a way to deflate my positivity. "Pretty bold of you to think they're looking at you, Rico. I shouldn't be surprised with that huge ego of yours. I guess its size has to make up for other areas you're lacking." My head snaps in her direction as I glare at her.

The maître d clears his throat to grab our attention. "Will this do, Signore?" The table is in a more secluded part of the room, but we are still in view of some of the other patrons, just not as close to them.

"Yes, Marcel, thank you." I pull Elenora's chair out for her to sit, but instead of scooting it in closer I pull it out further and she lands ass first on the ground. Marcel rushes to help her up while I sit down in my chair.

"Fucking asshole." She mutters as she straightens in the chair.

Marcel eyes us both before he addresses me. "W-would you care for any wine tonight, Signore?"

"Yes, bring me a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon."

"Right away, Signore." He scurries away, no doubt wanting to get away from dealing with us more than he has to.

Elenora glances around the restaurant. "This place is really nice." She picks up the menu and her eyes widen.

"Don't order by looking at the prices, Elenora." I glance at the incoming text I receive from Domani.

"Are you always working? There's hardly a moment when your phone isn't in your hand or your face isn't plastered to it."

I lift my eyes to see the aggravated look on her face. "Does that bother you?"

"If we're doing all of this for show, it would be nice if you seemed more interested in your date than your damn phone."

I set my phone down and slide my chair next to hers. I grab the leg of her chair and pull her even closer to me. I pick up her hand, bringing it to my lips, peppering soft kisses down to her wrist, all the while keeping my eyes on hers. Her pulse quickens under my fingers.

I hear the small hitch in her breathing pattern when I lean in closer, and rest my hand on the back of her neck. I graze my nose down the side of her neck reaching the top of her collar bone. Her sweet scent is clouding my mind and I brush my lips against her tempting skin. The erotic thoughts I had earlier when I was touching her for the first time begin flashing in my mind.

"Is this better?" I can't hide the lust dripping from my voice even if I wanted to. I glance down as Elenora squeezes her legs together, trying to pretend I don't have an affect on her, but it's too late.

"What are you doing?" The throatiness to her voice only makes me want to do more to her.

"I'm doting on my beautiful girlfriend." I trail back up along her neck and nibble on her ear. "Do you want me to finish what we started earlier?" God, I want her to tell me yes, desparately.

The seconds tick by slow and I decide to test my luck again and slide my hand through the opening of her dress, caressing her thigh. But she clenches her thighs stopping me from moving towards what I want. "Rico, we're in a restaurant."

Hmm, there's still hope. "That's not a 'no'." I can't help myself as I begin kissing her neck and then her shoulder. The grip she has on my hand loosens.

"People will see what you're doing." She rasps but angles her head in a way to give me more access, which I take appreciatively and surprise myself as I groan kissing her neck.

"Look around, we're by ourselves back here and that's still not a 'no'." I repeat, giving her another opportunity to stop me. But she doesn't and keeps her eyes closed as she moves her head against my shoulder when I slide my hand in between her legs again and this time she parts them for me. I squeeze her thigh, the warmth from her sex teases my fingers, drawing me in. My pulse begins to race at what I'm about to do—well, more like finish.

"Tell me you want me to touch you, Elenora." I bite down on her earlobe, but movement catches my attention; Marcel is returning with the bottle of wine. I let go of her neck and snap my fingers for him to come around the other side. "Leave it." I mutter. He sets the bottle on the edge of the table and leaves.

"Leave? What?" Elenora starts to pull away from me, opening her eyes, but I hold on to her neck again.

"Say it, Elenora. Tell me to touch you." I demand against her ear, pulling her closer to me. But the longer she stays silent the more I know this is not going to happen. I pull my lips away from her neck.

Her eyes move back and forth between mine. Doubt plays on her features as she bites her lip but then, like she has from the moment I met her, she surprises me.

"Touch me, Rico."

A sound of desperate need I don't recognize comes from the back of my throat before I begin kissing her neck with more intensity, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Elenora. I remind myself to take my time and begin to rub her nub of nerves in slow, teasing circles with my thumb. Her hands grip the edge of the table when I apply more pressure and slip my middle finger inside of her, knuckle deep.

Her breathing is coming in short sexy pants as I move in and out of her while still working her swollen clit.

"Do you like that?" She nods against my chest. My pants are growing tight, watching her move in response to my touch.

"Let's see how much you can take." My voice sounds rough as I add another finger.

Elenora turns more towards my chest, gripping the lapels of my suit and tries to muffle her moans of pleasure. I glance around the room and thankfully no one is paying any attention to us in the dimly lit room.

"Rico, I can't....I can't handle it." Her nails dig into my thigh.

"Yes, you can, baby. Let your body enjoy what you're feeling." I coach her and pull her head back by tugging the pony tail. I'm hoping the combination of pain and pleasure distract her from the panic she's feeling. Her eyes are hooded with lust as she watches me and her mouth parts as she moans my name.

"God, I wish you could see yourself. You're so fucking beautiful." My breathing matches hers as my balls begin to tighten. "Let go, Elenora." I curl my two fingers inside of her and she buries her face in my neck crying out as she reaches the edge of pleasure. Her body shudders as the wave ripples over her.

"Fuck." I lean back exhaling, surprised I came from only watching her.

I suck on my fingers, enjoying the sweetness of her essence dripping from them. "Mmm. Definitely not bitter." I smirk as she pulls away, still panting. I look down at my pants. "I'm glad I wore the black suit instead of the charcoal I had planned, I wouldn't be able to hide this otherwise." I place her hand over my semi hard dick so she can feel the dampness on my pants.

She gasps looking down at my crotch before she yanks her hand away."You're so immature. Why'd you have to ruin it for me?"

"Ruin it for you?" I can't help the indignation in my voice. "This wasn't just about you. Sex is a two way street, sweetheart. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying."

She has a look of disbelief on her face. "I doubt you of all people feel that way about sex. And...we didn't have sex, Rico."

"Not yet." I give her a confident smile. "But when we do, you better believe it's just as much about my pleasure as it is yours." I brush her ponytail back over her shoulders. "Go clean yourself up."

Elenora sits there watching me take a sip of wine. I lift my gaze to hers giving her an expectant look. She stands, muttering what an asshole I am, and something about how she can't believe she let me touch her. Again.

Marcel is making his way to our table. He smiles and moves aside to let her pass. I give him our food order and check my emails while I wait.

By the time our food is set out Elenora is returning. "I was beginning to think you left after you got what you wanted."

"Not funny."

I chuckle. "I took the liberty of ordering for you."

"How very thoughtful yet tyrannical of you, thank you." She moves her chair away from me and sits down, but I pull her back.

"Here, try this." I hold my fork up to her lips.

"I can feed myself, thank you." She reaches for the fork, but I move my hand away. And bring it towards her mouth again. I tap her lips with the tri tip steak skewered at the end of the fork. Elenora glares at me, but opens her mouth and I place the food inside.

She turns her head away, enjoying the tender, perfectly seasoned, succulent piece of meat.

"It's the best steak you've ever had, isn't it?" I take another bite myself.

"It's very good." She begins eating the chicken dish I ordered for me. "Aren't you going to clean yourself up, too?"

"You worry too much, Elenora."

"So...what's the deal with you and Diego?" I pause from bringing the fork to my mouth again.

"Why do you want to know?" I set my fork down, unable to hide my disdain at the mention of his fucking name. "I'm serious about what I said, Elenora."

She nods, cutting a piece of her chicken. "Sure, sure, but the way I see it, you can either tell me or I can ask him."

I watch her for a moment before she brings the food to her mouth and chews the chicken as a smile spreads on her face. She's fucking baiting me. I pick up my wine glass and take a long drink. "His family has been rivals of my family for a long time and he messed around with...my cousin, Serafina. She didn't know who he was, who he really was, because he lied to her." I begin cutting my steak to give my hands something to do.

"She was still in high school when they met and...he got her involved in drugs and some petty crime that ended with her in jail, taking the fall for him."

"He said you're not who you claim to be either. What does he mean?"

I shrug. "He'll say anything to make himself look better. But you can ask Serafina yourself, tomorrow at her birthday."

Thankfully her interrogation ends and we eat in silence. I peer over at her as I sip my wine and she's smiling watching couples dancing.

"Do you want to dance?"

"I don't dance, Elenora."

Her eyes linger on me for a moment before she picks up her wine glass and downs it.

Chocolate covered strawberries are brought out for dessert. She examines them with a smile on her face and settles on one, taking a bite of it. She closes her eyes and licks her lips. Her eyes flutter open and her smile disappears when she finds me watching her.

"What?"

I lean back in my chair. "Feed me."

"Your fingers aren't broken as I recall." She picks up another and starts to bring it to her mouth before I lean in and bring her hand to my lips, taking slow bites.

She starts to pull her hand back but I hold onto it. I keep my eyes on her as I lick and suck the melted chocolate from her fingers.

"Mm, thanks, love." I smile at her as she looks back at me with her mouth parted. "Are you ready to go?"

I hide a smile as she clamps her mouth shut, holding her hand to her face for a second before she nods. I drop a couple hundred on the table and take her hand leading her out of the restaurant.

"Please take us back to Elenora's apartment, Raul," I instruct the driver once we climb in the car.

I glance over at her when we stop at a red light. Judging by her silence during the drive, I wonder if I took it too far tonight. "Overall it was a good night, don't you think?"

"Sure."

"Don't over think what happened tonight, Elenora," I advise, knowing she's internally berating herself for giving in to me tonight.

She takes her time turning her face toward me, but then I see the windows roll down on the car next to us and the barrels of several guns poking out.

"Raul, GO! GO! GO!" I shout and reach for Elenora's hand, pulling her down but her seat belt locks. I fumble with finding the button to release her as the rapid gunfire goes off and glass shatters all around us.

I find the button and pull her down on the floor of the car. I come on top of her as she covers her ears.

"Raul, keep going!"

I reach for my phone and hit a contact. "Track my phone, we're being shot at." I hang up and lean to my side to reach for my gun. "Stay down, Elenora." I start to lift myself away, but she grabs a hold of my shirt, pulling me back down over her.

"Are you fucking crazy?"

I pry her fingers off of my shirt and pin her hand down as I glare at her. "Don't get up again, until I say."

Now that Raul has put some distance between our car and the car shooting at us, the gunfire isn't as frequent but bullets are still zipping past us. I lean up against my door and aim my gun firing back, but that only makes them shoot back in retaliation and then the car jerks to the side.

"Did they hit a tire?" Elenora yells from the floor, but it's worse. Raul is slanted in the driver seat.

"Fuck!"

I throw my gun on the passenger seat and climb up, reaching for the steering wheel and struggle to gain control while also avoiding getting hit by the bullets that won't stop.

I grunt with the effort to pull then shove Raul over to the passenger side to sit in the driver seat. I reach under Raul to grab my gun.

"Rico, give me a gun!" Elenora shouts from the backseat.

"Stay down!"

"You can't do this alone! Give me a gun!"

"Do you even know how to shoot one?" I swerve at the last minute, missing another car. I glance at the rearview mirror and Elenora is struggling to sit up with the jerky movements I have to make to avoid traffic and the motherfuckers chasing us.

"Yes, aim and shoot. Pretty simple." She groans, moving in between the driver and passenger seats.

I curse, but realize I have no option as I try to get us further away and I hand my gun to her.

"They're coming up on our left. Aim for the wheels if you can."

I watch from the side view mirror as she aims the gun and shoots. She hits the other car's side view mirror and yelps when they return several more shots—they have an advantage using automatic weapons.

I reach for the glove compartment and pull another gun out and begin firing out my window. Elenora fires three shots and the third one hits the tire of the car; it swerves before it over-corrects and flips. "I got him!" She exclaims a little too excited.

"Get the fuck down!" I shout and she sits down.

Our victory is brief when more bullets start hitting the car. A second car is coming up on our right side. I check the side view mirror and see a white van gaining on us. The side door is opening with someone shooting at us.

I glance over my shoulder as Elenora ducks but maneuvers herself closer to the door. I focus on the road, but hear her shoot again. She keeps shooting until the gun clicks out of bullets.

"Give me your gun, I'm out of bullets." I fight the urge to laugh at her bossiness at a time like this.

"So am I."

More bullets are going off like firecrackers when another car's tires screech, merging onto the same road, a black SUV speeding towards us from the rearview mirror. They're shooting at the white van before it swerves crashing into a pole.

I slow down and pull off to the side of the road. I get out of the car and pull Raul out checking his pulse, even though it's clear he's dead.

The back door opens and Elenora staggers out. My heart thuds when I see the blood trailing down the side of her face and I rush over to her. "You're hit."

"What?" Her soft brown eyes widen.

She winces when I touch the bump on the side of her forehead. "No, I'm not. At least I don't think I am." She assures me as she moves her shaky hands over herself. "I hit my head on the center console when you served."

Domani runs over to us, taking his jacket off and puts it over her shoulders. "Are you two okay?"

"She's got a bump on the head, but good. I'm taking her back to the hotel, shock might be setting in." I lean in closer to him so Elenora doesn't overhear and instruct him to bring me anyone who survived.

We walk away and Domani begins ordering the men in Italian as I lead Elenora to another SUV and pull away from the scene.

I glance at Elenora when I hear her muttering to herself. "You're staying at the hotel, you shouldn't be alone tonight."

She doesn't respond.

I pull into the underground parking of the hotel Barone and one of my men comes to park the car. I lead Elenora into the elevator and hit the button to the floor. When she begins to sway, I move to catch her, lifting her in my arms.

Once we are inside the suite I sit on the couch, with her on my lap. "Elenora, are you okay?"

And then the tears begin to fall. This probably scared the shit out of her. I forget sometimes, not everyone has had to face death as much as I have.

After she settles down, she takes a shaky breath. "I guess I didn't believe the danger was real or maybe as serious until now." I push the guilt aside that tries to slip in.

"You did well, tonight." I kiss her head before I realize what I'm doing.

She pulls away and stands. "I'm going to go clean up. I'll stay in that other bedroom."

I stand, too. Knowing she's on edge I take slow steps towards her, gauging her reaction. She tilts her head to look at me. I cup her face and look into her anxious eyes. "I want you next to me, Elenora." She nods and then she hugs me. I wrap my arms around her, wanting the trembling of her body to go away. I rest my head on hers and stroke her back.

A knock comes at the door and she pulls away. "I'm going to get washed up and go to bed."

"I'll be in later."

I watch as she steps into the bedroom and then I head for the door after another knock comes.

Domani greets me. "We're ready when you are."

I glance over my shoulder to make sure the bedroom door is still shut. "Bring them into the study." It's on the opposite end of the suite; far enough away to muffle any sounds, I hope.

I step to the side and Mostro, Ciccio, and Smiley bring in the three men that survived the crash. They're blind folded and gagged.

Once we're all inside the study, I shut the door. Ciccio and Mostro lay out the plastic on the floor and guide the men over it. I gesture for my men to remove the blindfolds.

The men are in bad shape from the crash; cuts, bruises and bumps adorn their faces. I walk around to my desk and pull out my gun and start working the silencer piece on. It's for show, since I have a different plan in mind for them.

"Gentlemen. Tonight you ruined a rather pleasant evening I was having with a beautiful woman." I open another drawer, grabbing what I need before I slip my gun behind my back.

"We can make this very simple or we can take all night. It's up to you." I cross my arms as I look over each one. "Who sent you?"

No one responds. "Too hard? Let's try an easier question; were you after me or the girl?" They shift and then the one in the end glances over at his friends.

The weak link. I step closer to him and his Adam's apple moves as he swallows. His eyes skirt around avoiding me.

I set my gun down. "Let's get started then."

I move towards the jumpy one at the end. I pull his hair and he begins screaming and shaking his head. With a slight gesture to Smiley he comes to help keep him still. A grin paints his face as he holds the man's face, covering his mouth with his hand and I pull out my cigar cutter.

I reach for his hand. "Mmait! Mmait!" The man screams against the gag.

"Let's see what he has to say."

Smiley lets go of him and I yank down on his gag.

"The girl! The girl! The hit was for the girl!"

I was hoping he wouldn't say that. Then again, this must be tied to the threatening note she received.

"Who do you work for?"

He lowers his head again.

I gesture to Smile and he gags him, holding him as I grab his hand. "Did you know the thumb accounts for 50% of your hand function?"

I position myself so his friends have a clear view of what's to come for them. "You can't do simple things like buttoning your shirt, picking up change, zipping or unzipping your pants..." I pry his thumb back from the clenched fist he was making. "Let's try this again, unless you want to have your comrades help wipe your ass for the rest of your life, that's another thing that's rather difficult to do without a thumb, by the way. Who do you work for ?"

He screams against the gag, shaking his head, still unwilling to give up a name. I look at Smiley and he holds the man against him as I slip the cutter over his thumb and slice the tip off. The man writhes and screams against Smiley, but he cranks on his neck snapping it.

I gesture to Mostro to remove the gags of the other two. The larger of the two men raises his head to glare back at me. "Get on with it! You're going to fucking kill us anyway."

He spits blood at my shoes and then an evil grin splits his face. "It won't fucking matter because that piece of ass of yours is dead. You can't stop what's coming for her!" I grab my gun and shoot him.

The door bursts open and I hear Elenora's soft voice as she walks into the room; my T-shirt and sweats drowning her.

"Hey, you still have my pant—" She stops; the look of horror on her face as her eyes focus on the bloodied bodies on the floor.

Fuck.

"Elenora, go back to the room." Her heavy breathing is loud enough for me to hear from across the room. She keeps her eyes on the bodies and her mouth opens like she's going to say something, but she doesn't.

"Elenora!"

Her head snaps up to look at me. "Go back to the room."

She blinks her eyes and then looks at each of us before she takes a step back. Then another.

She's going to run.

She turns and sprints out of the room and I run after her. "Rico, stop. You're covered in blood." Domani pulls my arm back, but I pull it out of his grasp and run after Ciccio and Mostro. Ciccio reaches Elenora first and he grabs her arm, but she turns around and kicks him in the groin, effectively dropping him. Then swings around his shoulders and kicks Mostro, but he only staggers back before he charges for her.

Smiley draws his gun on my other side and I pull his arm down. "No. No weapons."

We hear Mostro groan and he's also holding his crotch on the ground and Elenora is pointing a gun at us. "Stop right there!"

"Elenora put the gun down."

I take a step forward and she shoots near my feet and I jump back while the others draw their guns. "No." I order Smiley and Domani to put their guns away.

"D-don't come any closer." The gun is shaking in Elenora's hand as she backs up until she hits the door. She blindly reaches behind for the handle.

She opens it and I rush to the door. "Rico, put this on." Domani throws me his jacket and I slip it on before running out into the hallway. The gun is on the floor and I pick it up, tucking it in my pants as I wait for the elevator.

I pull my phone out as I step in and hit her number, but it goes straight to voicemail. Fuck! I keep trying even though it's no use. I burst out of the elevator when I reach the lobby and scan the large area for Elenora.

I catch the eyes of a few of the front desk workers and make my way to the concierge, but they tell me they haven't seen her.

I grind my teeth in agitation. I don't get it. She survives a car chase, getting shot at in a car and even took a few assholes out, but a little blood sends her spiraling?

Angela comes running in. "Rico, what did you do? Elenora is hysterical and refuses to come inside with me."

I run outside and look around the valet and then I see her at the corner of the building. She's going to get sick, walking barefoot and in a thin T-shirt when the temperature is freezing outside. I start running towards her. "Elenora!"

Her head snaps over to me before a car pulls up to her. Shit! Shit! Shit! They're going to take her. But then she surprises me as she willingly gets in. I reach the car just as she slams the door shut and locks it before I try the handle. "Open the door, Elenora!" I slam my hand on the window and she looks back at me; the bandage she had placed on her forehead is peeling away and fresh blood is dripping down her face. She turns to talk to the driver and he pulls away.

I pull my phone and dial Mickey. "I need you to track Elenora's phone." I look around and a door that isn't closed all the way catches my attention. I realize she must have come down the stairwell instead of using the elevator.

Mickey's question pulls me back to the conversation. "No, send me the information when you get it." I hang up walking towards the entrance of the lobby.

"What are you doing here?" I question Angela as we head for the elevator.

"You asked me to meet with you and Domani to go over the shipment details, remember?" She leans against the wall of the elevator, scrutinizing me as she folds her arms. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing." I tug at my tie, loosening it and then see the blood on my hands. Elenora's face flashes in my head after I finished those fuckers off. "I was taking care of something when Elenora walked in."

"Elaborate. Your version of taking care of something could mean lots of things, Federico." Angela pushes away from the wall. "You fucked someone else while she was with you?"

My head snaps up to glare at her. "Of course not." I sigh and run my hands through my hair. "We were attacked tonight. It shook her up so I brought her here. But then I was finishing off some of the assholes involved and she saw...the aftermath."

"You still haven't told her about our history though seeing as the first thing she said when she saw me was 'of course! This night gets better and better! Gotta finish the night blowing his wad in someone, doesn't he?' " She raises an eyebrow, with her hands on her hips.

"I told her we're old friends, but she doesn't believe it. And why should I have to tell her anything? What happened between us was a mistake, we both knew it the moment it happened. We were fucking kids, sixteen! I don't go spilling my fucking life story to everyone."

"She's not everyone. She's the girl you're supposed to be in love with. And that means sharing shit you don't want to, Rico." She takes a deep breath. "Look, you know I never felt this plan of yours would work, but you made it this far. You might as well invest some actual truth in the web of lies you're spinning."

I make a disgruntled noise and step out of the elevator.

"What's the plan if she goes to the cops?" Domani questions as soon as I walk in the hotel room. I head to the room to change out of my clothes and I see the dress Elenora was wearing tonight laid out on the bed; she took my fucking breath away when I saw her in it.

Domani follows me in, waiting for a response. "She won't go to the cops."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know her."

Domani scoffs. "If that were true, I think you would have anticipated her kicking the shit out of the men before it happened. You never told us she knew how to fight."

My mind travels to the knowledge of her being attacked and I'm sure that prompted her wanting to learn self defense.

My phone rings. I hit the speaker button so I can keep changing out of my bloodied shirt. "Her phone's turned off so it's hard to ping it, boss."

"Keep trying." I hit the end button and grind my teeth in frustration. All the work and progress I've made with her is gone in such a short amount of time.

The memory of when I cornered her outside the hotel downstairs and then watching her come on my fingers and the look on her face as she let herself experience the orgasm that rolled through her, flashes in my mind.

My phone rings again and Mickey tells me he's located her. "She turned her phone back on, but she's not at her apartment or her parents," Mickey tells me. "The address belongs to... let's see, Clara Bertolin ."

"Send me the location."

"Good luck." Angela pours herself a glass of bourbon. She looks over at me when I don't respond as I slip on a clean jacket. "What? I don't get your famous tagline: 'I don't need luck' anymore?" She chuckles.

"You have met Elenora, haven't you?" Domani questions her. "She kicked the shit out of Cicco and Mostro before she ran out of here." Angela turns to see Mostro and Cicco sitting on the couch, with ice packs on their crotches.

"Well, then you need luck and a jockstrap, apparently." Angela laughs before I slam the door shut behind me and Smiley.

We climb into one of the cars I keep in the garage and try her cell again while Smiley gets in the driver seat. This time it rings and rings. I decide to send her a text.

Me: ANSWER YOUR PHONE, ELENORA!

She either turned off her read receipts or she's ignoring me.

But then I feel somewhat elated when I hear my phone chime.

Nora: Please leave me alone. Don't worry, I'll be at Serafina's birthday celebration, until then, don't call or text me.

A car horn snaps me out of reading and re-reading her text. It's straight forward. Simple. And there's a politeness to it that screams Elenora with the 'please' at the beginning.

But there's none of her usual biting sass or cutting insults that I've gotten used to and that worries me more than I'd like to admit.

I sit in the car looking at the door of the townhome deciding whether or not I should leave, but I want to make sure she's alright. I walk up the stairs and knock on the door.

After the third attempt and my patience gone, I pound on the door and yell out to her. A light comes on from inside and then the door opens. I come face to face with an angry Clara.

"Get the fuck off my porch or I'll call the cops on your ass!"

I brush past her and start calling out to Elenora, but Clara follows, pestering me like a damn gnat. "Hey! Get out of my house! She doesn't want to see you, asshole."

"It's okay, Clara." Her quiet voice has me looking towards the second floor.

Her hair is now down and she's wearing different clothes. She walks down the stairs and hands me my clothes back. "Here. Please go."

"Those men were sent to hurt you, to kill you, Elenora." I don't know why I feel like I have to explain myself, but she holds her hand out to stop me.

"I don't want or need an explanation, Federico. Go; can't keep Angela waiting." Her cold, emotionless eyes stare back at me and I don't like it. She walks to the front door, then walks outside.

I follow her out and she turns to face me. "I realized how ridiculous it was for me to get upset, considering I'm responsible for injuring or killing people tonight too, but those men in your office were not armed. Their hands were tied." She glances down at her hands. "You like to remind me that we're only doing this charade because it will stop the men from coming after my dad. Although, tonight proved that's not the case."

"Those are not the same people after your father, Elenora." I try to explain.

"Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that this isn't real. I admit I let myself get carried away tonight. But it won't happen again and I will make another thing clear to you. You don't have a say in who I see or what I do, with who I want. Just like I don't have the right to do it to you, capichè?"

"Nothing is going on with Angela." I say through my teeth, feeling the anger begin to take over. I don't like that she's setting the expectation that my opinion doesn't matter to her.

She shakes her head and then her hands rake through her hair and she tugs at it. "Just stop. I don't care. You can fuck her seven ways to Sunday for all I care!"

I can't help the chuckle that comes out. "It's six ways to Sunday and that's not how that expression is used at all, bella." (beautiful)

Elenora moves towards me with measured steps; the look in her eyes is deadly. "I. Don't. Fucking. Care."

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay; your head was still bleeding when you left." I reach to touch the new bandage, but she slaps my hand away and shoves me back, her eyes furious.

"Don't you ever touch me again!"

"Don't put your hands on me, Elenora."

"Right, another thing only you get to do." She crosses her arms. "Well, you came, you saw and now you leave. Goodbye, Federico."

She steps back into the house and slams the door in my face.

***